ADVERTISEMENT

Aging is inevitable. But the good news is that most of us get used to it with time. According to a recent Forbes Health survey of 2,000 U.S. adults conducted by OnePoll, 53% of people aren't afraid of growing old. And if you categorize the respondents by age, the older they were, the bigger this share was: among those between 66 and 76 years old, the figure stood at 70%, and among those over 77, it was 79%. Therefore, you could argue that it's actually the unknown that we are so uncomfortable with. So let's try to tackle it and take a look at an online discussion where elderly folks have been sharing what they consider to be the biggest misconceptions surrounding aging.

#1

30 Older Adults Reveal The "Lies" About Aging That No One Talks About I remember a story of an old man telling his grandson, "Son, you know what's one secret no one will ever tell ya? It's that nobody ever grows old. People pretend to be adults, going about their lives. But everybody's still a child deep inside, scared & alone.. pretending to have got it all sorted."

Not sure how much it suits here, but that stuck!

ThrowawaySide02 , Yaroslav Shuraev Report

To learn more about aging and our response to it, we reached out to Dr. Josh Gressel, a clinical psychologist in the San Francisco Bay Area and the author of Embracing Envy: Finding the Spiritual Treasure in Our Most Shameful Emotion.

"The fear of getting old is rational," Dr. Gressel told Bored Panda. "Otherwise, why would it be such a universal one? There are many reasons: increasing physical infirmity, loss of friends, loss of relevance in the outer world, loneliness, and more than anything else — your impending death."

#2

30 Older Adults Reveal The "Lies" About Aging That No One Talks About That wisdom comes with age.


It doesn't, it comes with experience.

Aaargh_Bees , Engin Akyurt Report

Add photo comments
POST
Lexekon
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wisdom requires experience to learn from, which works only for people willing and able to do the learning.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#3

30 Older Adults Reveal The "Lies" About Aging That No One Talks About That I would be ok with it. Nope, do not like looking older in the face and body, don’t like my vision getting worse, hair thinning and going gray, memory lapsing etc. yes I am grateful to be alive and it beats the alternative, but it is still annoying.

pearltx , Teona Swift Report

ADVERTISEMENT

People might become more comfortable with getting older as time goes by, Dr. Gressel thinks, because "as it gets closer and becomes more of a reality, it's no longer something abstract and intimidating but real and tangible."

"I believe that by gradually accepting each change as it comes, we can age gracefully and enjoy what this age has to offer us," the psychologist added.

"At the same time, a real dividing line for people who get older is the question of physical and mental health. Those who are able to keep their marbles and their bodies relatively intact can fare far better than those who struggle with this. Financial security is also important."

#4

30 Older Adults Reveal The "Lies" About Aging That No One Talks About I used to think that growing older meant having it all figured out, l Turns out, it's more like collecting a bunch of keys without any idea which doors they open! 😂.

BarooqStudios , Andrea Piacquadio Report

#5

30 Older Adults Reveal The "Lies" About Aging That No One Talks About That perimenopause means you have a few hot flushes, and your periods get erratic for a while and then stop.

Turns out, it screws up your whole body.

SomeWomanFromEngland , Amie Roussel Report

Add photo comments
POST
Mez
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And your mind.....hello depression and anxiety. Didn't know you were coming, but here you are!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#6

30 Older Adults Reveal The "Lies" About Aging That No One Talks About I thought I’d be able to save money and retire someday. I lost my job, and as a woman in my 50s, I simply can’t find employment. Like, I applied at Whole Foods to be a worker, but they say I’m “too qualified”. Like, I don’t want anything but a standard job. I don’t want to be in leadership anymore.

Hotsauce4ever , Kaboompics.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
Petra Peitsch
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When you are overqualified for a job, just lie in your CV... Make the very opposite of people who want to have a job out of their legaue ... instead of upgrading, downgrade your work epereinces.

HTakeover
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The issue was never that they were truly "overqualified"; that was just the excuse they used. They wanted someone younger & less "problematic".

Load More Replies...
Hidalgo
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The old saying that if you get unemployed at 45 or older, your chance of working again are slim, is accurate

MoMcB
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I lost my job at 53, and was very lucky to be taken on by the company I am working for now 7 years later. I can understand some companies reluctance to take on some people my age, as I have some friends who don't want to learn new skills or have new challenges, but I love my job. I'm currently doing validation for a new software system.

Comment Deleted
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I went through the same thing. Now I work as a gatehouse security guard making min wage. Lost my job, my apt in an actual apt building. Now I have to live in someone's basement. Not the life I imagined.

UncleJohn3000
Community Member
2 weeks ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The fear behind hiring someone overqualified is that they're waiting on a better job, therefore any training is wasted because they're already planning to leave.

Tim Douglass
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Which is moronic, since someone at 56 is far less likely to jump to a new job than someone at 24.

Load More Replies...
Doofnuts
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Your job was "stay at home Mom", but now you have to work. That way the managers won't be afraid of you.

crazydogmama
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nope. I lost my job at 57 last March. I feel extremely blessed and thank GOD and Karma and the Universe and Goddess and my schooling and many years of schooling that I actually landed a much better job that I had been applying for, for the last 4 years. The statistics for my getting that job are astounding. Ageism is alive and thriving in the workforce. I got lucky it is a government job that works for the elderly!

Load More Replies...
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

The media also plays a role, and it's not a very benefitial one. "First, most of its focus is on youth and physical beauty. By extension, old age and wrinkles are to be hidden, not spotlighted," Dr. Gressel said.

"Second, how many heroic images of older people are you aware of in movies? I can only think of Obi-Wan Kenobi from Star Wars. Everyone else is depicted as pretty useless, a has been. There really is a dearth of examples of what aging has to offer, mostly because it can’t be encapsulated in a superficial sound byte."

#7

30 Older Adults Reveal The "Lies" About Aging That No One Talks About Can do everything right and still end up with chronic disease.

Most people do far less than this and are shocked when they aren't healthy.

Bearacolypse , Tima Miroshnichenko Report

Add photo comments
POST
Performingyak
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A relative of mine is currently going through metastatic breast cancer. She doesn't drink, led an active life, doesn't do d***s, no family history etc. She tries to work out what she did wrong to get cancer at age 44, and won't accept that it is probably down to nothing she did, but just the way things happen sometimes.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#8

30 Older Adults Reveal The "Lies" About Aging That No One Talks About That I was going to turn into a condescending, nagging, miserable, no-fun-allowed person like my parents were.

Nope, it was just my parents. Thank god for that.

MammothTanks , RF._.studio Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#9

30 Older Adults Reveal The "Lies" About Aging That No One Talks About I thought I’d retire, live maybe 3-4 years at home, then go to a nursing home. I’ve been retired 12 years, have an active social life, drive anywhere I want to go, and am very accustomed to this lifestyle. 76 yo.

69vuman , SHVETS production Report

Add photo comments
POST
OhnoI’vebeencensored
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow that was a slightly depressing expectation! I’m looking forward to retiring so I have time to dedicate to my health. Yeah so retirement is 25+ years away… but I’d like to run a marathon or trek in a mountain range in my first year of retirement. Something very active!

View more commentsArrow down menu

Of course, it's difficult for us younger folks to fully empathize with some of these things. Our minds and hearts have their own priorities. But that doesn't mean they won't change.

"While there is much that is beautiful and special in being young and making your way in the world, can you imagine how nice it is when you get to a stage in your life when you no longer feel competitive with other people?" Dr. Gressel added. "Do you have any idea how much pleasure I feel by mentoring younger people, seeing in them their positive qualities, and naming it for them so they can feel seen?"

ADVERTISEMENT

"I need absolutely zero in response from them except the pleasure I feel knowing and seeing that they feel seen. It is wonderful to feel like a father to adult men and for them to look to me for validation. It is wonderful in many ways to have less testosterone, to just be out of that lusty race with life. It allows for greater presence and calmness," the psychologist explained.

Maybe if we realized that life doesn’t end when we enter retirement, we could start preparing for it earlier.

#10

30 Older Adults Reveal The "Lies" About Aging That No One Talks About I've been nearsighted forever. When you get older, you lose the ability to focus on close things, which is what farsighted people experience. So I had this idea that at some point, my increasing farsightedness would cancel out my nearsightedness and I would have perfect vision for a time. Nope. Turns out you can be both nearsighted and farsighted at the same time.

sirdigbykittencaesar , Mikhail Nilov Report

Add photo comments
POST
crazydogmama
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And have bad night vision, with halos around every single light, and they get brighter and start to blend together and your depth perception gets worse.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#11

30 Older Adults Reveal The "Lies" About Aging That No One Talks About My child brain thought old people didn’t do things I often saw in play (cartwheels, handstands, or even just stuff like sitting cross-legged) because they were old and therefore too dignified.

Nope. Eventually that stuff really hurts. I’d kill to be able to do a cartwheel on the beach. Those were the days.

Practical_Art_3999 , Pavel Danilyuk Report

Add photo comments
POST
Geoffrey Scott
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hell...I have problems lately just getting up from an office chair without pain.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#12

30 Older Adults Reveal The "Lies" About Aging That No One Talks About Dementia aside, that you become unnecessarily stuck in your ways or are unwilling to learn anything new.

I find the exact opposite - my thinking has never been clearer, and I eagerly consume vast amounts of new information.

ZephyrShow , Tima Miroshnichenko Report

Add photo comments
POST
Petra Peitsch
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This doesn't come with aging, it's there all your life. If you are an ignorant moron in your youth, you'll be the same getting old. If you are curious, willing to learn, that won't disappear with age.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#13

30 Older Adults Reveal The "Lies" About Aging That No One Talks About That as long as I exercised consistently I could age pain free. Sadly that was false.

lilanniem73 , Kampus Production Report

#14

30 Older Adults Reveal The "Lies" About Aging That No One Talks About That you’re as old as you want to be. We think we’re “old” at 40 but you’ll look back on pics of that time and think how young you were. I gather when I’m 90 I’ll look back at pics of when I was in my 60s and think the same thing.

And then there’s being old
In your head. My dad was “the old man” all his life. He was never young.

The only thing that really sucks is being surprised when you look in the mirror (who is that old bag?) & how much s**t (knees, shoulders) hurts. Good things include no fear expressing myself & finally somewhat lessened attention from the opposite sex.

katiemurp , Ivan Samkov Report

Add photo comments
POST
Papa
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Several years ago my wife took my picture from the side when I wasn't paying attention. When she showed it to me my first reaction was "Who is that old man, and why did she take his picture?" It was quickly followed by "Oh. That's me."

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#15

30 Older Adults Reveal The "Lies" About Aging That No One Talks About That when you are older you will be ready and able to handle the losses and trials that life throws at you.

I'm 38 and have just lost my Dad. I feel completely unable to emotionally handle this loss.

Peg_leg_J , RDNE Stock project Report

Add photo comments
POST
Ryan-James O'Driscoll
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think people become better equipped with age and perhaps more mentally prepared. But that does not mean it is ever easy.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#16

30 Older Adults Reveal The "Lies" About Aging That No One Talks About It being linear. My grandparents were fit, like actually fit, their whole life. Going on bike tours for hours, no end in sight, before the bs E-Bike hype. Eating right, doing puzzles and quizzes, sports, gardening and stuff around the house, renovations whenever one of us needed help. They seemed happy and enjoying life.
Then, one super bad bike crash, landed them in the hospital for a month, recovery was good for their age, due to their very good condition. But the scars scared my grandma to get back on a bike, my grandpa staying home in solidarity. It's been 3 years, and they are shells of their former selfs. Both mentally and physically, especially in the last year, it's horrible to witness. I love them both, and try to spend as much time with them as possible, but it's just depressing to see.

ChynChylla , RDNE Stock project Report

Add photo comments
POST
Alexandra
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is sadly true. It just takes a bad fall or an accident for a sudden and steep decline to set in. The body just can't handle that kind of assault upon it anymore at that age.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#17

30 Older Adults Reveal The "Lies" About Aging That No One Talks About I’d wake up one day and want to eat healthy. Nope, I still want junk food.

interstatebus , Robin Stickel Report

#18

30 Older Adults Reveal The "Lies" About Aging That No One Talks About That I wouldn’t get cancer until I was 40, found out when I was 15. Also, arthritis. Was at the rheumatologist one day and there was a 4 year old girl with arthritis, we both got diagnosed with JRA that day. Wild af. Genetics are a b***h.

Wubzles , cottonbro studio Report

Add photo comments
POST
ScootyPuffJr
Community Member
2 weeks ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

AGREED. As are the never ending effects of long covid.

#19

30 Older Adults Reveal The "Lies" About Aging That No One Talks About I thought I would "grow out of" house music. Still haven't. House Music All Life Long!

LincHayes , Andrea Piacquadio Report

Add photo comments
POST
PeepPeep the duck
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always used to look at older ravers and be like wtf and why would you. Now I’m nearly 40 and I am one of them 😂

View more commentsArrow down menu
#20

30 Older Adults Reveal The "Lies" About Aging That No One Talks About That 50 is old.

I always thought 50 was old because my grandpa had several conditions that made him look much older and 'beaten up'. My grandma on the other side always has had a hunched back and it grew worse and worse.

Turns out i just had a few bad examples of people that worked tougher physical jobs all their life. My dad is 55 or so now and hes still spry.

In my gym theres a 53yo guy deadlifting 300kg+ and still going out for beers with friends on thursdays after work.

30 always sounded like a big number but i'll be there in like two weeks and im still childish AF, im still just a stupid little moron that doesnt know s**t. I dont know if ill grow up by the time i hit 50.

cocogate , Nataliya Vaitkevich Report

Add photo comments
POST
OhnoI’vebeencensored
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Congrats! Knowing that you’re a moron is an important stage of growing up that a lot of people never reach.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#21

Being old = fat.

I hit 30, gained some weight, and everyone just joked 'Yep, that's what getting old is'. I didn't think much of it, packed on 50lbs, had high blood pressure.

Then my doctor told me 'Well, we can put you on these pills, but what you need is a diet. Your only real problem is that you're fat.'

I lost 90lbs, and have been in model health since. Blood pressure, along with a host of other problems, magically went away as soon as I got back to my highschool weight.

Even better, I started doing stuff again! I could enjoy rock climbing, skateboarding, dirtbikes, hikes, etc .

User1539 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Verfin22
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good for you! I only weigh 135lbs and will be on BP meds til I die. Genetics suck.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#22

30 Older Adults Reveal The "Lies" About Aging That No One Talks About If you have a fat face, you do not get wrinkles. Plastic surgeons hate this one simple trick!

ven_geci , Ron Lach Report

#23

That I could always continue to do "what I've always done."

Well, I looked at the calendar and I'm 78 -- I was just 60.

And I can't (shouldn't) lift heavy boxes any more. Tried to and my left shoulder said "boy am I gonna hurt for two weeks"----- and it did hurt for two+ weeks. So, I don't lift heavy boxes any more. Tired -- so go to bed earlier than I used to. Get up later, too -- no job to go to.

Need to go out and walk -- exercise and move around -- -3 degrees below zero. I'll put that off for awhile.

Always worked on all my cars/trucks -- think I'll have somebody else do some work -- I'll buy the parts -- he'll put them in. Then, I'll have more/better heat in the truck -- I'm always cool/cold lately. Been different --- this retiring -- adjusting the physical and the financial. Doing what I can do and hiring what I'm learning I can't do. Interesting/frustrating.

steved3604 Report

Add photo comments
POST
UncleJohn3000
Community Member
2 weeks ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At 62, I just made the decision to stop working on my own cars beyond maintenance. I have the tools, the skills, the experience, and I enjoy the work. But my knowledge base is badly outdated and even with correction, my near vision isn't reliable on tiny details anymore. It sucks but it's time.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#24

That you’ll just go into a nursing home. Or have some miraculous little pillow of care. That’s not reality. Many don’t qualify for nursing home and even if you do there may be a cost. Plus the care there is getting worse due to corporations / private equity firms gobbling them up then cutting costs. So many people have to stay at home and pray to God someone will help them or that they might qualify for some in-home care.

fishinglife777 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Comment Deleted
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My aunt had a stroke and fell and lay there alone for 4 days before someone checked on her.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#25

30 Older Adults Reveal The "Lies" About Aging That No One Talks About How suddenly you feel less worth as a woman.

Zissoudeux , Kindel Media Report

Add photo comments
POST
wowbagger
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It really doesn't help if you live in a country that just elected a VP who literally said older women are useless.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#26

I thought, until recently, that menopause symptoms last for the rest of a woman’s life: I was so relieved to learn that hot flashes aren’t forever! 😅.

Hestia-Creates Report

Add photo comments
POST
Tabitha
Community Member
2 weeks ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The only truly great thing about menopause is not having periods anymore. The rest sucks. The immense stresses on my body from menopause epigenetically triggered the DNA for hypothyroidism plus a couple autoimmune conditions that run in my family which were previously dormant. Initially my weight shot up seventy pounds—-and no, I was not sitting on my a*s and overeating, I was watching my diet, eating right, and exercising regularly—-until I finally figured out the thyroid issue and got on the correct meds for it. I had to fire a couple doctors who weren’t willing to try anything but the mainstream test and treatment. Once I found a hormone specialist who truly understood the thyroid, and not only was willing to try different meds than the mainstream, but also did more extensive tests for ALL the hormones associated with the thyroid instead of just the one test most do that is incomplete and can lead to way too much suffering (the reason I fired the other doctors), my health started to improve immensely. When my weight went up, so too did the risks of diabetes and hypertension, which also run in my family. That was ten years ago. My weight has now been back down to normal for a year, and the prediabetes is gone, as is the high blood pressure. But it took all those years to finally lose that extra seventy pounds and get back to feeling like myself again. Now that I am post-menopause, the only lingering symptom is the occasional hot flash, which apparently doesn’t have any consistent triggers I can put my finger on yet, but I’m still trying to figure them out. Once I do, then I’ll have them under control too.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#27

30 Older Adults Reveal The "Lies" About Aging That No One Talks About I thought getting older as a woman would mean *fewer* men creeping on me, especially as a homely-looking woman. Instead, the amount of desperate creeps watching for *any* single woman seems to skyrocket with age.

I suspect that being single with no kids and not being obese at age 35 makes me seem like the jackpot to a lot of guys in my age range. (I live in the U.S.) Unfortunately for them I am very, very picky.

Warp-10-Lizard , Kaboompics.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
PeepPeep the duck
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel this, had loads of creeps in my early days up until 21-23. It died off a bit and lately in my late 30s I’m getting like 18 yr old boys hitting me up along with the usual old creeps and it’s bizarre having kids hit on you 😂 I’m like - am I a cougar now?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#28

30 Older Adults Reveal The "Lies" About Aging That No One Talks About I was under the impression it would start later. 

I’m in my mid 30s. Among my peers, I have a few friends who have experienced cancer, menopause, two who are widowed. It’s definitely not a majority by any means, but the curve has started and it’s only going to pick up from here. .

Please_send_baguette , George Milton Report

Add photo comments
POST
Geoffrey Scott
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And then, in your 50's, you begin to outlive people your own age. Sure, most had poorer lifestyle choices, but.. then you hear about that active, healthy person, and..

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#29

30 Older Adults Reveal The "Lies" About Aging That No One Talks About That my pimple free youth would carry on to adulthood. I used to be a pimple free teen and now i am an adult with skin problems and pimples.

blaukrautbleibt , Polina Tankilevitch Report

Add photo comments
POST
UncleJohn3000
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There should be a natural law against having gray hair and pimples at the same time.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#30

I never thought I’d say this, but as I age you have good days and bad days and I can’t quite figure out what causes either one. Mostly physical stuff - aches, pains, joints creaky. Next day I’ll feel great. I never had that before turning 59.

pegleri Report

Add photo comments
POST
lwolf1952
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I swear there is a little fairy that comes every so often at night and beats me up. And then sometimes I do a bunch of work outside and expect to be really sore for a couple of days and nothing. It's a mystery. If you have a bad day just relax and rest, a good day will come along.

Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
Unlimited content
Ad-free browsing
Dark mode
#31

30 Older Adults Reveal The "Lies" About Aging That No One Talks About You can’t just live carefree, you have to take care of yourself, exercise and eat right or you’ll end up like all your dead friends.

Fresh_Inside_6982 , Marcus Aurelius Report

Add photo comments
POST
Pandemonium
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We're all gonna end up like our dead friends but exercising and eating right will make the best of the genetic, cultural and pure-luck-driven hand we're dealt

View more commentsArrow down menu
#32

30 Older Adults Reveal The "Lies" About Aging That No One Talks About That it would suck. At 53, it doesn't. My best decade was my 30s for sure. I had enough of a sense of identity that I had some general confidence but could still bend my knees without them popping. My 40s and 50s have been trying to prolong that state, rather than an impossible to maintain and sad to watch perpetual 20s.

yenrab2020 , Anastasia Shuraeva Report

Add photo comments
POST
Petra Peitsch
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, for me my 30s were the bests till now. If I had a chance to go back, it wouldn't be my 20s, more my 30s. Although 40s are also okay, but one can already feel their body, like knees, ankles, back.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#33

30 Older Adults Reveal The "Lies" About Aging That No One Talks About I think the worst part of aging isn’t necessarily the bodily aging part but just that every stupid idiom and saying old people used to drop on you ends up slowly happening.

MyLastUsernameSucked , Andrea Piacquadio Report

Add photo comments
POST
Pandemonium
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Then just let a smile be your umbrella! Because today is the first day of the rest of your life!

#34

30 Older Adults Reveal The "Lies" About Aging That No One Talks About You lose friends. Being an introvert at a young age with social anxiety, I had little friends, but as I got older I made more friends that understood better what I was going through.

restingally6 , Kampus Production Report

Add photo comments
POST
#35

I'm one of the oldest at work and just in general it used to be the opposite I really don't know when that changed.

bsmn69 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Papa
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It seemed odd to me when various authority figures (for lack of a better term) like doctor, supervisor, etc were suddenly younger than I am.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#36

30 Older Adults Reveal The "Lies" About Aging That No One Talks About I used to think once you've passed 35 you basically can't do athletic things anymore. I'm late 30's and still have athleticism and can do more or less anything I could in my 20's.

The recovery takes longer for sure though.

Heimlich_Maneuver , Ketut Subiyanto Report

Add photo comments
POST
Sven Horlemann
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I ran my first marathon at 49. I am 58 now. Seriously, you can always do something.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#37

Things get better with age. What things? In my late teens this seemed right with the possibility of leaving home, being my own person living by my own rules.

So here I am at 58 and 40 years of hard work later. My body is failing, my brain is fading and I'm tired. If someone at this stage tells me things will get better I'm gonna b***h slap them.

kwtransporter66 Report

Add photo comments
POST
#38

That it becomes worse once you spot your first silver hair and realize how much has accumulated in your hair to where it's a full-on infestation of silver versus black. And that I'm using reading glasses holy s**t and starting taking naps like my cat! It's not good to fight it rather take it gracefully than foolishly.

Hollister1377 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Petra Peitsch
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My first silver hair appeared in my 20s. 20 years later, I don't dye my hair anymore, and now I'm "trendy", thanks to the newest trends .D

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#39

I thought I would feel less physically well as I turn 70. Because we made a significant menu change, the opposite is occurring. Nice surprise!

suzemagooey Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#40

I keep hearing that at 38yo I’m a washed up, old and unwanted woman. Meanwhile I get carded every time I buy alcohol, was asked twice in one month what high school I went to, and have zero wrinkles at all. Age really is just a number. Some people are blessed with good genes and others aren’t.

ironburton Report

#41

30 Older Adults Reveal The "Lies" About Aging That No One Talks About That parenting adult kids would be way easier.

llc4269 , Alexander Dummer Report

#42

I didn't think it would come so fast. I'm slightly closer to 45 than to my teens. When did that happen? .

Look-Its-a-Name Report

Add photo comments
POST
Papa
Community Member
2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When did that happen? If my math is correct it happened about the time you turned 33.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#43

Once you start earning as an adult, you'll be able to enjoy life. I can, but still, I don't have time for that.

metal_jackson Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda